Local youth will have the chance to showcase their basketball skills as part of a special 3x3 tournament in Red Cliffs.
Marking the official opening of the new half-court basketball court in Quandong Park, the Red Cliffs 3x3 Summer Jam will be held on Friday 13 December from 4pm to 6pm.
Teams can compete across two age groups – 13 and under and 14-plus – with $150 in prizes up for grabs for winning teams.
Registration will take place on the day from 3.30pm, prior to games getting underway from 4pm.
The Rotary Club of Red Cliffs will provide a FREE barbecue dinner, while DJ Scopa will bring the vibes!
Mildura Mayor Helen Healy encouraged young basketballers to sign up and showcase their skills on the court.
"What better way to celebrate the completion of the new half-court at Quandong Park than to showcase some local talent," Cr Healy said.
The project has been close to 18 months in the making, following a partnership between Council, Hands Up Mallee, and a local group of Red Cliffs youth to activate, care for and utilise a new half-basketball court in Quandong Park.
"Council received $50,000 from VicHealth, while also chipping in $50,000 of ratepayer funds, to construct the court," Cr Healy explained.
"We worked closely with the local community and youth to find a suitable location for the court, with consultation held as part of the highly successful Red Cliffs Pool Party in late 2022 and continued with the Red Cliffs & Carwarp Community Plan consultation in May 2023.
"We heard strong feedback from the Red Cliffs community that there was a priority for more things for the youth of the community to do, with a basketball court at the top of the list.
"To have the court activated and to see locals enjoying the space is just fantastic, and I'm looking forward to seeing some of the local talent on show as part of this special competition."
Red Cliffs youth Kyron Hartnett, 18, said it was good to "hang with your friends and have an opinion on something that is happening in our little town."
"We originally got involved because we were bored and didn't have anything to do, so the boys and I decided we would have our say," Kyron, who was 17 during the co-design workshops, said.
"It feels good that we've seen some improvements happen and I think it will get used a lot as we don't have anything in Red Cliffs for basketball.
"From this project we've been thinking that we could make a Red Cliffs basketball club. It was also good experience being nominated for the Youth Awards, and great to meet others at the award night."
Fellow participant Alex Hocking, 15, said it was great to see the project complete.
"A big thanks to everyone involved in the basketball half court in Red Cliffs. It's definitely going to give us something fun to do after school or on the weekends," Alex said.
"I'm really looking forward to having a bounce at the new court."
